Concentration status for annual target value of PM2.5, 2011http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/pm2-5-annual-mean-air
Distribution of stations by thresholds of PM2.5 annual mean concentrations for the year 2011.No publisherparticulate matterair qualityair pollution2013/12/02 16:13:51 GMT+1Data VisualizationConcentration status for daily limit value of PM10, 2011http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/pm10-percentile-air
Distribution of stations by thresholds of 90.41 percentile of daily PM10 concentrations for the year 2011. The figure is based on the 90.41 percentile of the PM10 daily concentrations, corresponding to the 36th highest PM10 concentration when data availability is 100% over the year.No publisherparticulate matterair qualityair pollution2013/12/02 16:13:51 GMT+1Data VisualizationAir quality in Europe — 2013 reporthttp://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2013
This report presents an overview and analysis of
air quality in Europe from 2002 to 2011. It reviews progress
towards meeting the requirements of the air quality
directives and gives an
overview of policies and measures introduced
at European level to improve air quality and
minimise impacts. An overview of the latest findings and
estimates of the effects of air pollution on health
and its impacts on ecosystems is also given. No publisherbenzeneclimate changenitrogen dioxideheavy metalsbenzo(a)pyreneozoneparticulate matterhuman healthcarbon monoxideecosystemssulphur dioxide2013/10/14 15:21:40 GMT+1PublicationAir pollution: knowledge is essential for tackling ithttp://www.eea.europa.eu/articles/air-pollution-knowledge-is-essential
"The positive news is that over the last decades, the situation has improved substantially in terms of exposure to several air pollutants. But these pollutants, where we achieved the most significant reductions are not the ones causing most harm to human health and the environment" says Valentin Foltescu, who works on air quality assessment and data reporting at the EEA. We asked Valentin what the EEA does on air quality and what the latest data says.The European Environment Agency works on a wide range of environmental issues. When it comes to issues related to air, what does the EEA actually do?

In short, we look at the outdoor air quality, where air pollutants come from, what levels we are exposed to and how they affect us and the environment. In more technical terms, we analyse data on concentration levels in ambient air and data on emissions – the amounts released into the atmosphere. We also estimate the population’s exposure to different pollutants.

There are thousands of stations monitoring air quality across Europe, tracking the concentrations levels of different pollutants. Most of the stations report data to AirBase, the European air quality database, maintained by the EEA. AirBase contains monitoring information and data for 38 participating countries and has information on more than 100 air pollutants. Eleven of these are regulated by EU air quality legislation.

Once the countries make the data available, we check whether the data is harmonised and in line with the provisions set by EU legislation. The data is also further scrutinised in various quality assurance and quality check activities, which involve close cooperation with the data providing countries. We then produce overviews and assessments, such as the air quality report which we will publish mid-October.

What does the latest data say about the air quality in Europe?

There is a positive and a negative message. The positive news is that over the last decades, the situation has improved substantially in terms of exposure to several pollutants. For example, the number of people exposed to sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and benzene has gone down significantly. At the EU level, less than 2 % of urban residents are exposed to exceedances of the air quality standards set by EU legislation for these pollutants.

The other side of the story is that these pollutants, where we achieved the most significant reductions are not the ones causing most harm to human health and the environment. Especially particulate matter and ground-level ozone which have a high relative risk to health damage and premature deaths continue to be present in ambient air at high levels. Up to a third of the urban population in the EU remains exposed to levels above the limit or target values set by the EU.

Overall, we can notice a slow decrease in concentrations of the most harmful pollutants, meaning a slight improvement in air quality with respect to these pollutants. However, we have also observed that in some places the concentrations of these pollutants increased in the last decade. This is certainly a matter of concern.

Where do these pollutants come from?

Combustion of fuels is an important source. There are many sectors where we burn fuels, for example, for transport, power generation, industry, and heating our homes. Agriculture is another important source.

Air pollutants can be released directly into the atmosphere (primary emissions) or can form as a result of chemical interaction involving precursor substances.

Here the results are also mixed. For example, EU emissions of primary particulate matter decreased by 14 % in the last decade. Of the precursors to particulate matter, some have been cut significantly, such as sulphur dioxide, cut by half. For other precursors, the emission cuts were limited. For example, ammonia emissions which mainly come from agriculture decreased by only 7%.

We also have to bear in mind that cuts in emissions do not automatically result in similar cuts in concentrations. We are dealing with complex links between air pollutant emissions and air quality. These include emission heights, chemical transformations, reactions to sunlight, additional natural and hemispheric contributions and the impact of weather and topography. Significant cuts in emissions are a must for improving air quality.

How does you work actually help improve Europe’s air quality?

We share this knowledge with the general public and policy makers both at the European and national level. We provide facts and information about the state and trends in ambient air quality, air pollutant emissions and exposure rates. This knowledge is then used for improving air-related policies, which ultimately aim at protecting the public and the environment from high levels of air pollution. It is impossible to formulate effective policies without monitoring and understanding the current situation and its causes.

We are also looking at how the air quality legislation is implemented at the local level. We have just completed a project with a number of cities across Europe. The project helped us identify measures that have been considered successful by the cities, such as ensuring compliance with new low-sulphur standards for shipping fuels in the port areas; ban on the marketing, sale, and distribution of bituminous coal; fuel conversion in domestic heating and the creation of district heating. This project showed that there is certainly a massive amount of knowledge and experience we can learn from and share further.

]]>No publisherair pollutant emissionsparticulate matterair pollution costsair qualityground-level ozone2013/10/09 15:05:39 GMT+1ArticleAir pollution still harming health across Europehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/air-pollution-still-causing-harm
Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union (EU) are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This result comes from the latest assessment of air quality in Europe, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).The report, 'Air quality in Europe – 2013 report', is an EEA contribution to the European Commission's review of air quality policy and the EU 'Year of Air'.

Vehicles, industry, agriculture and homes are contributing to air pollution in Europe. Despite falling emission levels and reductions of some air pollutant concentrations in recent decades, the report demonstrates that Europe's air pollution problem is far from solved. Two specific pollutants, particulate matter and ground-level ozone, continue to be a source breathing problems, cardiovascular disease and shortened lives. New scientific findings show that human health can be harmed by lower concentrations of air pollution than previously thought.

Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, said: “Air pollution is causing damage to human health and ecosystems. Large parts of the population do not live in a healthy environment, according to current standards. To get on to a sustainable path, Europe will have to be ambitious and go beyond current legislation.”

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik added: “Air quality is a central concern for many people. Surveys show that a large majority of citizens understand well the impact of air quality on health and are asking public authorities to take action at EU, national and local levels, even in times of austerity and hardship. I am ready to respond to these concerns through the Commission's upcoming Air Policy Review.”

Between 2009 and 2011, up to 96 % of city dwellers were exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations above WHO guidelines and up to 98 % were exposed to ozone (O3) levels above WHO guidelines. Lower proportions of EU citizens were exposed to levels of these pollutants exceeding the limits or targets set out in EU legislation. These EU limits or targets are in certain cases less strict than WHO guidelines. See EEA data on EU exposure in 2011.

It is not just cities - some rural areas also have significant levels of air pollution, the report notes. National differences across Europe are presented in a series of country fact-sheets accompanying the main findings.

There have been several success stories in cutting emissions of air pollutants – for example sulphur dioxide emissions from power plants, industry and transport have been reduced over the last decade, reducing exposure. Phasing out leaded petrol has also reduced concentrations of lead, found to affect neurological development.

Eutrophication

Alongside health concerns, the report also highlights environmental problems such as eutrophication, which is when excessive nutrient nitrogen damages ecosystems, threatening biodiversity. Eutrophication is still a widespread problem that affects most European ecosystems.

Emissions of some nitrogen-containing pollutants have decreased, for example emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia have fallen by 27 % and 7 % respectively since 2002. However, emissions were not reduced as much as anticipated, with eight EU Member States breaching legal ceilings a year after the deadline for compliance. To address eutrophication, further measures are needed to reduce emissions of nitrogen.

Presentation about the report Air quality in Europe

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]]>No publisherair pollutant emissionspm10air pollutionairozoneparticulate matterhealthconcentration2013/10/09 08:41:44 GMT+1Press ReleaseAnnual mean particulate matter (PM10) 2010, based on daily average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/annual-mean-particulate-matter-pm10
The red dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of
the 2005 annual limit value (40 μg/m3), as set out in
the Air Quality Directive.
The orange dots indicate stations reporting
exceedances of a statistically derived level (31 μg/m3)
corresponding to the 24–hour limit value, as set out in
the Air Quality Directive.
The pale green dots indicate stations reporting
exceedances of the WHO air quality guideline for PM10
of less than 20 μg/m3 but not in exceedance of limit
values as set out in the Air Quality Directive.
The dark green dots indicate stations reporting
concentrations below the WHO air quality guideline for
PM10 and implicitly below the limit values as set out in
the Air Quality Directive.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).particulate matterair qualityair emissionspm102013/06/13 11:07:04 GMT+1FigureAnnual mean fine particulate matter (PM2.5) 2010, based on annual average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/annual-mean-fine-particulate-matter
The red dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of
the 2010 annual target value (25 μg/m3) plus at least
5 μg/m3.
The dark orange dots indicate stations reporting
exceedances of the 2010 annual target value
(25 μg/m3), as set out in the Air Quality Directive.
The orange dots indicate stations reporting
exceedances of the 2020 indicative annual limit value
(20 μg/m3), as set out in the Air Quality Directive.
The pale green dots indicate stations reporting
exceedances of the WHO air quality guideline for PM2.5
of less than 10 μg/m3 but not in exceedance of target
or limit values for PM2.5 as set out in the Air Quality
Directive.
The dark green dots indicate stations reporting
concentrations below the WHO air quality guideline for
PM2.5 and implicitly below the target and limit values for
PM2.5 as set out in the Air Quality DirectiveNo publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).particulate matterpm2.5air qualityair emissions2013/06/13 10:43:55 GMT+1FigureParticulate Matter (PM2.5): annual mean concentrations in Europehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/interactive/pm2_5
The map shows annual mean concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Europe based on daily averages with at least 75% of valid measurements, in µg/m3 (source: EEA, AirBase v.8 & AQ e-Reporting)No publisherair qualityair pollutionparticulate matterpm2.5air quality dataairbase2013/04/29 23:00:00 GMT+1GIS Map ApplicationEvery breath we take – Signals 2013 focuses on air quality in Europehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/every-breath-we-take-2013
Poor air quality can have serious impacts on our health and the environment. How is Europe’s air quality? What are the main sources of air pollutants? How do they affect our health and the environment? What does Europe do to improve air quality? The new edition of the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Signals takes a closer look.Air quality in Europe has improved greatly in recent decades. Incidents like the week-long smog episode in London during December 1952 which killed several thousand people have not occurred in Europe for many years. However, air pollution is still a problem with severe impacts.

Air pollution can trigger and aggravate respiratory diseases; it can damage forests, acidify soils and waters, reduce crop yields and corrode buildings. In particular, pollution from particulate matter and pollution from ozone pose serious health risks to European citizens. Almost one third of Europe's city dwellers are still exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter. Air pollution is also found to reduce the life expectancy of the average city dweller by eight months in Europe, or up to two years in some areas.

Emissions from car exhausts in urban areas; forest fires; ammonia emitted by agriculture; coal-fired power plants across the planet; and even volcano eruptions affect the quality of the air we breathe. In some cases, the pollutant sources are located thousands of kilometres away from where the damage occurs. We can also see that many air pollutants contribute to climate change and that climate change itself is going to affect air quality in the future.

Signals 2013

Signals 2013 - Every breath we takeconsists of short and accessible articles covering a wide range of aspects related to air quality. They include, among others, the state of Europe’s air today, main information sources, links between climate change and air, the way different pollutants can form in the atmosphere, and a short overview of the European legislation affecting air quality. The 2013 edition is prepared in the context of the European Year of Air, when EU policy makers are planning to revisit air quality laws.

It was launched in Ireland by Minister Phil Hogan T.D., at the Air Science Policy Forum, an event organised on 15th April by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, as part of the Irish Presidency of the European Union.

The publication is illustrated with a remarkable series of photographs taken by the public. These pictures were submitted in a photostory competition ImaginAIR organised by the EEA in 2012, which asked participants to tell their story about air in three pictures.

Signals will be available in 26 European languages as e-book and PDF in coming weeks. It will also be available in print in some languages.

]]>No publisherhealth effectsair qualityhealth impactsair pollutionnitrogen dioxideground-level ozoneatmosphereparticulate matter2013/04/15 09:45:00 GMT+1NewsAir legislation in Europehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/signals/signals-2013/articles/air-legislation-in-europe
Air pollution is not the same everywhere. Different pollutants are released into
the atmosphere from a wide range of sources. Once in the atmosphere, they
can transform into new pollutants and spread around the world. Designing and
implementing policies to address this complexity are not easy tasks. Below is an
overview of air legislation in the European Union.The amount of pollutants emitted into the air we breathe has been greatly reduced since the EU introduced policies and measures concerning air quality in the 1970s. Air pollution emissions from many of the major sources including transport, industry, and power generation are now regulated and are generally declining, albeit not always to the extent envisaged.

Targeting pollutants

One way that the EU has achieved this improvement is by setting legally binding and non-binding limits for the whole Union for certain pollutants dispersed in the air. The EU has set standards for particulate matter (PM) of certain sizes, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, and other pollutants that may have a detrimental effect on human health or ecosystems. Key pieces of legislation that set pollutant limits across Europe include the 2008 Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (2008/50/EC), and the 1996 Framework Directive on ambient air quality assessment and management (96/62/EC).

Another approach to legislating for improvements to air quality is through the setting of national annual emission limits for specific pollutants. In these cases, countries are responsible for introducing the measures needed to ensure that their emission levels are below the ceiling set for the relevant pollutant.

The Gothenburg Protocol to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC) both set annual emissions limits for European countries on air pollutants, including those pollutants responsible for acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone pollution. The Gothenburg Protocol was revised in 2012. And the National Emissions Ceilings Directive is up for review and revision in 2013.

Targeting sectors

In addition to setting air quality standards for specific pollutants and annual country-level ceilings, European legislation is also designed to target particular sectors that act as sources of air pollution.

Emissions of air pollutants from the industrial sector are regulated, by among others, the 2010 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) and the 2001 Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from Large Combustion Plants (2001/80/EC).

Vehicle emissions have been regulated through a series of performance and fuel standards, including the 1998 Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels (98/70/EC) and vehicle emission standards, known as the Euro standards.

The Euro 5 and 6 standards cover emissions from light vehicles including passenger cars, vans, and commercial vehicles. The Euro 5 standard came into force on 1 January 2011, and requires all new cars covered by the legislation to emit less particulates and nitrogen oxides than the limits set. Euro 6, which will enter into force in 2015, will impose stricter limits on nitrogen oxides emitted by diesel engines.

There are also international agreements concerning the emissions of air pollutants in other areas of transportation, such as the International Maritime Organization’s 1973 Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), with its additional protocols, which regulate sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping.

(c) Javier Arcenillas, ImaginAIR/EEA

"Although fortunately there are still places in Romania almost wild and spectacular, where nature is unstained by the hand of man, in more urbanized areas there is an obvious ecological problem."Javier Arcenillas, Spain

Putting the pieces together

A pollutant is usually regulated by more than one piece of legislation. Particulate matter, for example, is directly addressed by three European legal measures (Directives on ambient air quality and emissions of air pollutants, and the Euro limits on road vehicle emissions) and two international conventions (LRTAP and MARPOL). Some of the PM precursors are tackled by other legal measures.

The implementation of these laws are also spread over a period of time and achieved in stages. For fine particles, the air quality directive sets 25 μg/m3 as a ‘target value’ to be met by 1 January 2010. The same threshold is set to become a ‘limit value’ by 2015, entailing additional obligations.

For some sectors, air policies might first cover certain pollutants in limited parts of Europe. In September 2012, the European Parliament adopted the revisions that brought the EU’s standards on sulphur emissions by ships in line with the International Maritime Organization’s standards from 2008. By 2020, the sulphur limit will be 0.5 % in all the seas around the EU.

For the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel in so-called ‘Sulphur Emission Control Areas’, the European Parliament set an even stricter sulphur limit of 0.1 % by 2015. Considering that standard marine fuel contains 2 700 times more sulphur than conventional diesel for cars, it is clear that this legislation gives strong reasons to the shipping sector to develop and use cleaner fuels.

Implementation on the ground

Current European air-quality legislation is based on the principle that EU Member States divide their territories into a number of management zones in which countries are required to assess air quality using measurement or modelling approaches. Most big cities are declared to be such zones. If air‑quality standards are exceeded in a zone, the Member State has to report to the European Commission and explain the reasons.

The countries are then required to develop local or regional plans describing how they intend to improve the air quality. They could for example establish so-called low-emission zones that restrict access for more polluting vehicles. Cities can also encourage a shift in transport to less polluting modes including walking, cycling, and public transport. They can also ensure that industrial and commercial combustion sources are fitted with emission‑control equipment, according to the latest, best-available technology.

Research is also critical. Not only does research offer us new technologies, it also improves our knowledge of air pollutants and their negative effects on our health and ecosystems. Integrating the latest knowledge into our laws and actions will help us to continue to improve Europe’s air.

(c) Gülçin Karadeniz

More information

]]>No publisherhelpeconomic sectorsnitrogenlong-range transboundary air pollutionuneceenvironmentecosystemssulphur dioxideacidificationpassenger carsstandardsbaltic seanational emissions ceilingspolicies and measureslogsenergyseaeutransportnitrogen oxidesozonecombustionleadpublic transportlrtappassengersdieselresearchparticulate matterhealthair quality directiveeuropeeuropanaturecarsnational emission ceilingscitiesmarineetrair pollution sourcesghg emission targetsindustryshippingpollutioncombibusescontaminationroadscombustion plantsfine particlesgishuman healthphpopmeutrophicationurbanetspetrolsulphurprotocolsplantsemission ceilingsground-level ozoneairunemissionspolicieseu legislationaciditygothenburg protocolindustrial emissions directivemaritime sectorstatesspatechnologyair qualitynational emission ceilings directivepollutantseconomyfuelsmodelswhotransport modesbaltic regiontunadirectiveair pollutionnorth seaagevehiclescover2013/04/14 23:04:12 GMT+1ArticleEvery breath we takehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/signals/signals-2013/articles/every-breath-we-take
We breathe from the moment we are born until the moment we die. It is a vital and constant need, not only for us but for all life on Earth. Poor air quality affects us all: it harms our health and the health of the environment, which leads to economic losses. But what does the air we breathe consist of and where do the various air pollutants come from?The atmosphere is the gaseous mass that surrounds our planet and has been classified into layers with varying densities of gases. The thinnest and lowest (ground-level) layer is known as the troposphere. This is where plants and animals live and where our weather patterns occur. Its altitude reaches about 7 kilometres high at the poles and 17 kilometres at the equator.

Like the rest of the atmosphere, the troposphere is dynamic. Depending on the altitude, the air has a different density and a different chemical composition. The air moves around the globe constantly, crossing oceans as well as vast areas of land. Winds can carry small organisms, including bacteria, viruses, seeds and invasive species to new locations.

What we call air consists of…

Dry air is made up of about 78 % nitrogen, 21 % oxygen and 1 % argon. There is also water vapour in the air, making up between 0.1 % and 4 % of the troposphere. Warmer air usually contains more water vapour than colder air.

The air also contains very small amounts of other gases, known as trace gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. The concentrations of such minor gases in the atmosphere are generally measured in parts per million (ppm). For example, the concentrations of carbon dioxide, one of the most prominent and abundant trace gases in the atmosphere, were estimated to be around 391 ppm, or 0.0391 %, in 2011 (EEA indicator on atmospheric concentrations).

In addition, there are thousands of other gases and particles (including soot and metals) released into the atmosphere from both natural and man-made sources.

The composition of the air in the troposphere changes all the time. Some of the substances in the air are highly reactive; in other words, they have a higher propensity to interact with other substances to form new ones. When some of these substances react with others, they can form ‘secondary’ pollutants harmful to our health and the environment. Heat – including from the sun – is usually a catalyst facilitating or triggering chemical reaction processes.

(c) Stephen Mynhardt, ImaginAIR/EEA

What we call air pollution

Not all substances in the air are considered pollutants. In general, air pollution is defined as the existence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere at levels that adversely affect human health, the environment, and our cultural heritage (buildings, monuments and materials). In the context of legislation, only the pollution from man-made sources is considered, although pollution might be defined more broadly in other contexts.

Not all air pollutants come from man-made sources. Many natural phenomena, including volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and sand storms release air pollutants into the atmosphere. Dust particles can travel quite far depending on winds and clouds. Regardless of whether they are man-made or natural, once these substances are in the atmosphere, they can take part in chemical reactions and contribute to air pollution. Clear skies and high visibility are not necessarily signs of clean air.

Despite significant improvements in recent decades, air pollution in Europe continues to harm our health and the environment. In particular, pollution from particulate matter and pollution from ozone pose serious health risks to European citizens, affecting quality of life and reducing life expectancy. But different pollutants have different sources and impacts. It is worth taking a closer look at the main pollutants.

When tiny particles float in the air

Particulate matter (PM) is the air pollutant that causes the greatest harm to human health in Europe. Think of PM as particles so light that they can float in the air. Some of these particles are so small (one thirtieth to one fifth of the diameter of a human hair) that not only do they penetrate deep in our lungs, they also pass into our bloodstream, just like oxygen.

Some particles are emitted directly into the atmosphere. Others come about as a result of chemical reactions involving precursor gases, namely sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds.

These particles can be composed of various chemical components, and their impact on our health and the environment depends on their composition. Some heavy metals and toxic metalloids, such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and nickel, can also be found in particulate matter.

A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that fine particle pollution (PM2.5 i.e. particulate matter no greater than 2.5 microns in diameter) might be a greater health concern than previously estimated.

According to the WHO’s “Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution”, long-term exposure to fine particles can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes, and childhood respiratory diseases. The study also suggests a possible link with neurodevelopment, cognitive function and diabetes, and strengthens the causal link between PM2.5 and cardiovascular and respiratory deaths.

Depending on their chemical composition, particles can also affect global climate by either heating or cooling the planet. For example, black carbon, one of the common components of soot found mostly in fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter), results from the incomplete combustion of fuels — both fossil fuels and wood burning. In urban areas, black carbon emissions are mostly caused by to road transport, diesel engines in particular. Besides its health impacts, black carbon in particulate matter contributes to climate change by absorbing the sun’s heat and warming the atmosphere.

(c) Andrzej Bochenski, ImaginAIR/EEA

Ozone: when three atoms of oxygen bind together

Ozone is a special and highly reactive form of oxygen, consisting of three atoms of oxygen. In the stratosphere — one of the upper layers of the atmosphere — ozone protects us from the Sun’s dangerous ultra-violet radiation. But in the lowest layer of the atmosphere — the troposphere — ozone is in fact an important pollutant affecting public health and nature.

Ground-level ozone is formed as a result of complex chemical reactions between precursor gases such as nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Methane and carbon monoxide also play a role in its formation.

Ozone is powerful and aggressive. High levels of ozone corrode materials, buildings and living tissue. It reduces plants’ ability to conduct photosynthesis, and hinders their uptake of carbon dioxide. It also impairs plant reproduction and growth, resulting in lower crop yields and reduced forest growth. In the human body, it causes inflammation in the lungs and the bronchia.

Once exposed to ozone, our bodies try to prevent it from entering our lungs. This reflex reduces the amount of oxygen we inhale. Inhaling less oxygen makes our hearts work harder. So for people already suffering from cardiovascular diseases or respiratory diseases like asthma, high-ozone episodes can be debilitating and even fatal.

What else is in the mix?

Ozone and PM are not the only air pollutants of concern in Europe. Our cars, lorries, energy plants and other industrial facilities all need energy. Almost all vehicles and facilities use some form of fuel and burn it to obtain energy.

Fuel combustion usually changes the form of many substances, including nitrogen — the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. When nitrogen reacts with oxygen, nitrogen oxides form in the air (including nitrogen dioxide NO2). When nitrogen reacts with hydrogen atoms, it creates ammonia (NH3), which is another air pollutant with severe adverse effects on human health and nature.

In fact, combustion processes release a variety of other air pollutants, ranging from sulphur dioxide and benzene to carbon monoxide and heavy metals. Some of these pollutants have short-term effects on human health. Others, including some heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, accumulate in the environment. This allows them to get into our food chain and ultimately end up on our plates.

Other pollutants, such as benzene, can damage cells’ genetic material and cause cancer in the event of long-term exposure. As benzene is used as an additive to petrol, around 80 % of benzene released into the atmosphere in Europe comes from the combustion of fuels used by vehicles.

Another known cancer-causing pollutant, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), is released mainly from the burning of wood or coal in residential stoves. Car exhaust fumes, especially from diesel vehicles, is another source of BaP. In addition to causing cancer, BaP can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat and bronchial tubes. BaP is usually found in fine particles.

Measuring the impacts on human health

Although air pollution affects everyone, it does not affect everyone to the same extent and in the same way. More people are exposed to air pollution in urban areas because of the higher population densities there. Some groups are more vulnerable, including those suffering from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, people with reactive airways and airway allergies, the elderly, and infants.

‘Air pollution affects everyone in developed and developing countries alike,’ says Marie-Eve Héroux from the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe. ‘Even in Europe, there is still a high proportion of the population that is exposed to levels exceeding our recommendations on air quality guidelines.’

It is not easy to estimate the full extent of the damage to our health and the environment caused by air pollution. However, there are many studies based various sectors or pollution sources.

According to the Aphekom project co-funded by the European Commission, air pollution in Europe leads to a reduction in life expectancy of around 8.6 months per person.

Some economic models can be used to estimate the costs of air pollution. These models typically contain the health costs caused by air pollution (loss of productivity, additional medical costs, etc.), as well as costs arising from lower crop yields and damage to certain materials. However, such models do not include all the costs to society caused by air pollution.

But even with their limitations, such cost estimates give an indication of the magnitude of the damage. Nearly 10 000 industrial facilities across Europe report the amounts of various pollutants they emit to the atmosphere to the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR). Based on these publicly available data, the EEA estimated that air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe cost Europeans between EUR102 and EUR169 billion in 2009. Importantly, just 191 facilities were found to be responsible for half of the total damage cost.

There are also studies estimating the possible gains that could be obtained by improving air quality. For example, the Aphekom study predicts that reducing annual average levels of PM2.5 to World Health Organisation guideline levels would result in concrete gains in life expectancy. Achieving just this target is expected to result in possible gains ranging from 22 months on average per person in Bucharest, and 19 months in Budapest, to 2 months in Malaga, and less than half a month in Dublin.

Nitrogen’s impacts on nature

It is not only human health that is affected by air pollution. Different air pollutants have different impacts on a wide range of ecosystems. Excess nitrogen, however, poses particular risks.

Nitrogen is one of the key nutrients found in the environment that plants need for healthy growth and survival. It can dissolve in water and is then absorbed by plants through their root systems. Because plants use large amounts of nitrogen and deplete the existing amounts in the soil, farmers and gardeners usually use fertilisers to add nutrients, including nitrogen, to the soil to boost production.

Airborne nitrogen has a similar effect. When deposited to water bodies or soils, extra nitrogen can work to the advantage of certain species in ecosystems where limited amounts of nutrients exist, such as the so-called ‘sensitive ecosystems’, with their unique flora and fauna. Excess nutrient supply in these ecosystems can completely alter the balance between species, and can lead to biodiversity loss in the affected area. In freshwater and coastal ecosystems, it can also contribute to algal blooms.

The ecosystems’ response to excess nitrogen deposition is known as eutrophication. In the last two decades, the sensitive ecosystem area affected by eutrophication in the EU has declined only slightly. And today, almost half of the total area defined as sensitive ecosystems is estimated to be at risk of eutrophication.

Nitrogen compounds also contribute to the acidification of freshwaters or forest soils, affecting the species that are dependent on those ecosystems. Similar to the impacts of eutrophication, the new living conditions can favour some species to the detriment of others.

The EU has succeeded in significantly reducing the area of sensitive ecosystems affected by acidification, mainly thanks to strong reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions. Only a few hot-spot areas in the EU, in the Netherlands and Germany in particular, face acidification problems.

(c) Leona Matoušková, ImaginAIR/EEA

"The Jizerske hory Mts. Protected Landscape Area situated in the northern part of the Czech Republic belongs to the region which in the past was known infamously as ‘the Black Triangle’ due to its severe air pollution."Leona Matoušková, Czech Republic

Pollution without borders

Although some areas and countries might experience its impacts on public health or the environment more severely than others, air pollution is a global problem.

Global winds mean that air pollutants move around the world. A part of the air pollutants and their precursors found in Europe are emitted in Asia and North America. Similarly, a part of the pollutants released into the air in Europe are transported to other regions and continents.

The same is also true on a smaller scale. The air quality in urban areas is generally affected by the air quality in the surrounding rural areas and vice versa.

‘We breathe all the time and are exposed to air pollution — whether indoors or outdoors,’ says Erik Lebret from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands. ‘Everywhere we go we are breathing air, which is contaminated with a whole range of pollutants at levels where you can sometimes expect adverse health effects. Unfortunately, there is no place where we can breathe only clean air.’

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]]>No publisherair pollutant emissionsparticulate matterair qualityfine particles2013/04/14 23:03:41 GMT+1ArticleAir pollution: breaches of legal limits continued through 2010 and 2011http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/air-pollution-breaches-of-legal
Air pollutant emissions were above legal limits in eight Member States in 2011, preliminary data shows. In 2010, 12 Member States exceeded these limits, according to final official data reported under the European Union’s National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive. Several air pollutants are still harming health and the environment in Europe. The most serious air pollutants are particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, a fact which is also reflected in the new version of AirBase launched today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). AirBase provides publicly-available air quality information for Europe.

"Although the new data shows some clear improvement between 2010 and 2011, Europe still needs to work hard to reduce air pollution," EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. "Emissions from transport are still a major problem, particularly in some cities."

Air emissions limits breached by many countries

The NEC Directive covers four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification of soil and surface water, and damage vegetation.

An early analysis of the official ‘final’ 2010 data confirms twelve Member States exceeded their respective NOx ceilings. According to preliminary data, seven of these Member States continued to breach these NOx ceilings in 2011, in some instances by significant amounts. The status for 30 European countries is shown on the chart below. The data can be explored in depth in the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) interactive chart. Germany was the only Member State to have exceeded three of four emission ceilings under the directive in both 2010 and 2011.

Road transport contributes approximately 40 % of total EU-27 NOx emissions and is one of the main factors behind the large number of NOx exceedances. Reductions of NOx from this sector over the last two decades have not been as large as originally anticipated. This is partly because transport demand has been higher than expected, and partly because real-world driving conditions have sometimes led to higher emissions than those anticipated with vehicle emission standards.

AirBase – a rich source of air quality information

A preliminary analysis of the 2011 air quality data in AirBase indicates that European citizens often breathe air that does not meet the air quality requirements, a problem which is particularly serious in cities. As a new feature this year, the AirBase release is accompanied by interactive maps showing the measured air pollutant concentration values throughout Europe. The maps provide an overview of the extent of the problem areas and locations where air quality standards are exceeded.

AirBase contains air quality monitoring data and information made available by 38 countries throughout Europe. The latest Airbase version contains more than 2 billion records reaching from 1973 to 2011 and will enable an updated assessment of the status and trends in air quality in Europe.

Understanding air pollution and its impacts

One aim of the current review of EU air policy is to better understand air pollution in Europe and its impacts to support future policy initiatives. Together with the new version of AirBase, the information on air pollutant emissions is an important resource for Europe’s air policies. EEA’s annual ‘NEC Directive Status’ and ‘Air Quality in Europe’ reports, to be published by mid-2013, will further analyse the recent data reported by EU Member States.

Following the review of EU air policy, the European Commission is expected to publish a proposal for a revised NEC Directive in the autumn of this year, potentially calling for stricter emission ceilings for 2020 or beyond in order to further protect health and the environment. For the first time, a ceiling for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may be introduced. In the absence of new legislation, however, the NEC Directive remains in force and requires Member States to keep emissions below national ceilings also in future years.

UPDATE: New information on NEC Directive compliance is available in the NEC Directive status report 2012, published on 23 May 2013. The report includes final emission data for the year 2010, and provisional estimates of emissions for 2011.

]]>No publisherground-level ozonenec directiveparticulate mattertrafficair emissionssulphur dioxidenitrogen oxidesAirBase2013/03/18 10:55:00 GMT+1NewsAirBase - Exchange of informationhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/airbase-exchange-of-information-4
Location of stations for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported.
Observed concentration maps for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).benzenecoleadpm10air pollutiono3nitrogen dioxidebenzo(a)pyreneozoneparticulate mattercadmiumcarbon monoxidepm2.5nickelso2air qualityairbasearsenicno22013/03/15 16:16:41 GMT+1FigureParticulate Matter (PM10): annual mean concentrations in Europehttp://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/interactive/pm10
The map shows annual mean concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM10) in Europe based on daily averages with at least 75% of valid measurements, in µg/m3 (source: EEA, AirBase v.8 & AQ e-Reporting)No publisherair qualitypm10air pollutionparticulate matterair quality dataairbase2013/03/15 14:50:00 GMT+1GIS Map ApplicationChange in PM10 emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/change-in-pm10-emissions-for-5
Percentage change in primary PM10 particulate matter emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2010.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csipm10particulate matterair emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:42:07 GMT+1FigureContribution to total change in PM10 emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/contribution-to-total-change-in-14
The contribution made by each sector to the total change in primary PM10 particulate matter emission between 1990 and 2010.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csipm10particulate matterair emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:42:34 GMT+1FigureContribution to total change in PM2.5 emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/contribution-to-total-change-in-13
The contribution made by each sector to the total change in primary PM2.5 particulate matter emissions between 1990 and 2010.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csiparticulate matterpm2.5air emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:42:22 GMT+1FigureChange in PM2.5 emissions for each sector and pollutant 1990-2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/change-in-pm10-emissions-for-4
Percentage change in primary PM2.5 particulate matter emissions for each sector and pollutant between 1990 and 2010.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csiparticulate matterpm2.5air emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:41:52 GMT+1FigurePercentage change in PM2.5 and PM10 emissions 1990-2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/percentage-change-in-pm2.5-and-2
The reported change in primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter for each country, 1990-2010. The EU27 2020 Gothenburg national emission ceilings are also depicted in the chart.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csipm10particulate matterpm2.5air emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:41:26 GMT+1FigureEmissions of primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/emissions-of-primary-and-secondary-2
This chart shows past emission trends of primary PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, 1990-2010. The EU-27 2020 Gothenburg emission target is also depicted in the chart.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csipm10particulate matterpm2.5air emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:41:11 GMT+1FigureSector contributions of emissions of primary particulate matter in 2010 (EEA member countries)http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/sector-contributions-of-emissions-of-2
The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of primary PM2.5 and PM10 in 2010.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).csipm10particulate matterpm2.5air emissionspollutionemissions2012/12/21 13:41:37 GMT+1FigureParticulate matter (PM10), 2010 - Daily limit value for the protection of human healthhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/particulate-matter-pm10-2010-daily
In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for particulate matter (PM10) for the protection of human health: the PM10 daily mean value may not exceed 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 35 times in a year and the PM10 annual mean value may not exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). In some areas time extensions have been granted by DG Environment for meeting these limit values. Information about time extensions is provided by DG Environment at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).air qualitypm10air pollutionparticulate matterhuman healthhealth2012/10/16 10:42:26 GMT+1FigurePM2.5 2010 - Annual target value for the protection of human healthhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/pm2.5-2010-annual-target-value
In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set a target value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the protection of human health: the PM2.5 annual mean value may not exceed 25 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).air qualityair pollutionpm2.5particulate matterhuman health2012/10/16 10:17:35 GMT+1FigureAir quality in Europe — 2012 reporthttp://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2012
This report presents an overview and analysis of the status and trends of air quality in Europe based on concentration measurements in ambient air and data on anthropogenic emissions and trends from 2001 — when mandatory monitoring of ambient air concentrations of selected pollutants first produced reliable air quality information — to 2010.No publisherbenzenecoairbasenitrogen dioxideheavy metalsbenzo(a)pyreneozoneparticulate matterso2no2carbon monoxidehuman healthair qualityo3sulphur dioxidepm2012/09/21 09:25:53 GMT+1PublicationMany Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutantshttp://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/many-europeans-still-exposed-to
Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system. The EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants which cause acidification, but a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations of PM and ground level ozone.Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "This report is a timely reminder of how important air quality is to the health of our citizens. This is why I want 2013 to be the Year of Air and why I will focus on strengthening our air quality laws to tackle the problems identified today."

Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said: "European Union policy has reduced emissions of many pollutants over the last decade, but we can go further. In many countries, air pollutant concentrations are still above the legal and recommended limits that are set to protect the health of European citizens. In fact, air pollution reduces human life expectancy by around two years in the most polluted cities and regions."

The EEA's 'Air quality in Europe — 2012 report' examines citizens' exposure to air pollutants and provides a snapshot of air quality in Europe. The report is intended to support the development of more effective clean air policies.

Key findings

• Particulate matter (PM) is the most serious air pollution health risk in the EU, leading to premature mortality. The report estimates that in 2010, 21 % of the urban population in 2010 was exposed to PM10 concentration levels higher than the most stringent, daily, EU limit value designed to safeguard health. Up to 30 % of the urban population was exposed to finer PM2.5 concentration levels above the (less stringent) yearly EU limit values. According to the WHO reference levels, which are even tighter than those imposed by EU law, respectively up to 81 % and 95 % of urban dwellers were exposed to PM concentrations that exceed the reference values set for the protection of human health – underlining the urgency of the coming review of air legislation.

• Ozone (O3) can cause respiratory health problems and lead to premature mortality. Exposure in cities is very high – 97 % of EU urban inhabitants were exposed to O3 concentrations above the WHO reference level in 2010. 17 % were exposed to concentrations above the EU target value for O3. In 2009, 22 % of arable land in Europe was exposed to damaging concentrations of O3, leading to agricultural losses.

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a major cause of eutrophication (excessive plant and algal growth in water) and acidification, and also contributes to the formation of PM and O3. In 2010, 7 % of Europeans living in cities were exposed to NO2 levels above the EU limit values. National emissions of nitrogen oxides in many European countries still exceed emission ceilings set by EU legislation and under United Nations agreements.

• Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogen. A considerable proportion of the urban population in the EU (20-29 % between 2008 and 2010) were exposed to concentrations exceeding the EU target value, which must be met by 2013. The increase in BaP emissions in Europe in recent years is therefore a matter of concern.

• Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a big success story: emissions have been reduced significantly in recent years thanks to EU legislation requiring the use of emissions scrubbing technology and lower sulphur content in fuels. 2010 was the first year that the EU urban population was not exposed to SO2 concentrations above the EU limit value.

• Carbon monoxide, benzene and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead) concentrations in outdoor air are generally low, localised and sporadic in the EU, with few exceedances of the limit and target values set by EU legislation.

The European Commission is preparing a review of EU air legislation in consultation with stakeholders and will put a particular emphasis on air pollution policies in 2013.

Background

Poor air quality can cause heart disease, respiratory problems, lung cancer, breathing difficulties and other illnesses. Some pollutants can lead to eutrophication, reduced agricultural crop yields, decreased forest growth and have an impact on the climate. Emissions of several pollutants have fallen in recent years, resulting in improved air quality in some areas. However, they have not always resulted in a corresponding drop of atmospheric pollutant concentrations. The persistent air quality problems require further efforts in mitigating the emissions of several pollutants.

More information

]]>No publisherhealth target valueair pollutionurban air qualityparticulate mattertrafficair emissions2012/09/19 15:35:28 GMT+1Press ReleaseEuropean Union emission inventory report 1990–2010 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eu-emission-inventory-report-1990-2010
This document is the annual European Union emission inventory report under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP). The report and its accompanying data are provided as an official submission to the secretariat for the Executive Body of the LRTAP Convention by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union. The report is compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
No publishercarbon monoxideroad transportpm2.5soxlrtapammonialong-range transboundary air pollutionnitrogen oxidesmercuryhcbuneceleadeu emission inventoryenergy productionpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsnon-road transportpbparticulate matterdioxins and furansindustrial productionpcbhchemission inventorypmnon-methane volatile organic compoundscadmiunpahhexachlorobenzenesulphurhgpcdd/femission trendspm10energy usehexachlorocyclohexanesolventssulphur oxidespolychlorinated biphenylskey pollutants2012/07/30 10:00:00 GMT+1PublicationSahara dust, sea spray and fires contribute to bad air qualityhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/sahara-dust-sea-spray-and
Human activities are the main cause of poor air quality, but natural sources of air pollution also play a role. A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) considers how particulate matter from these natural sources affects the air we breathe. The report is the first evaluation of Member State reporting under the EU's Air Quality Directive. The directive sets legally binding limit values to improve air quality. However, countries can subtract the pollution from natural sources, as they are only obliged to reduce man-made air pollutant emissions. So the report also includes European Union (EU) Member States documentation of natural contributions which led to exceedances of air quality limit values set by EU legislation.

It is difficult to calculate the exact amount of pollutants emitted from natural sources, the report notes, but in many countries the contribution to particulate matter levels in the air can be significant.

The most common natural sources of particulate matter in Europe are desert dust, volcanoes, forest and grassland fires, and salt from sea spray. The particular source of pollution can be identified using various methods including chemical analysis of particles sampled from the air, meteorological data satellite measurements and modelling.

Eleven EU Member States reported that natural sources pushed particulate matter concentrations over the limit values in 2008 or 2009 (Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom). The highest numbers of cases were reported by Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy and Spain). Spain had the highest number of measuring stations reporting exceedances caused at least in part by natural sources.

"Poor air quality from natural sources is by definition outside of our control," EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. "But this analysis shows that authorities should make extra efforts to reduce the air pollution they can control, because the cumulative effect of natural and man-made particulates can damage people's health."

Natural sources of particulate matter

'African dust' from the Sahara is the most common natural source of particulate matter in the air. In the Western and particularly in the Eastern Sahara rainfall is extremely rare and irregular. Temperatures can rise above 50° C during the summer months. Extremely dry and hot conditions create turbulence during the day which can propel dust upwards to a height of 4-5km. Such turbulence is usually followed by meteorological stability during the night. Particles can stay at these heights for weeks or months, and are often blown across Europe.

Sea spray is also a source of particulate matter, and can contribute up to 80 % of particle levels in the air in coastal areas. This is mostly salt, whipped into the air by strong winds.

The sudden eruption of a volcano, for example on Iceland or in the Mediterranean, has the potential to produce transient peaks of airborne particulate matter in Europe.

Forest and grassland fires in Europe burn an average of almost 600 000 hectares of land per year, a significant source of air pollution. It is difficult to determine whether these fires are truly 'natural sources' – the report notes that approximately nine out of 10 fires are caused directly or indirectly by humans, for example by arson, discarded cigarettes, campfires or farmers burning crop residues after the harvest.

]]>No publisherair pollutionforest firesParticulate matter2012/07/10 16:25:24 GMT+1NewsParticulate matter from natural sources and related reporting under the EU Air Quality Directive in 2008 and 2009http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/particulate-matter-from-natural-sources
Much of the air pollution that damages human health and the environment today is the result of human activities. But natural sources also emit air pollutants, contributing to the exposure of European citizens and ecosystems to bad air quality  and potentially undermining EU Member State efforts to meet the air quality standards set out in EU legislation.No publisherPM10Particulate matterAir Quality Directivefires2012/07/10 16:24:39 GMT+1PublicationChanges (%) in energy related emissions of primary PM10 and PM2.5 by source category, 2005-2009, EEA-32http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/changes-in-energy-related-emissions-2
‘Energy combustion’ includes all energy-related emissions minus fugitives the graph shows the emissions of PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less, emitted directly into the atmosphere) No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).particulate matterenergycombustionemissionspm102012/04/30 12:57:12 GMT+1FigureContribution of different sectors (energy and non-energy) to total emissions of PM10 and PM2.5, 2009, EEA-32http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/contribution-of-different-sectors-energy-4
The graph includes the combined emissions of primary PM10 particles (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less, emitted directly into the atmosphere).No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).particulate matterenergycombustionemissionspm102012/04/30 12:57:16 GMT+1Figure